Star Trek: How EVERY Captain Became Captain
4. Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Along with James T. Kirk, Jean Luc Picard is one of the most famous captains in the entirety of Starfleet.
His interest in the stars was piqued early in life. He wrote a ribbon-winning report on starships in school and read about early Bajoran civilization in the fifth grade.
His goals to achieve caused a rift in his family and his father never condoned his career choice, right up to the time of his death.
Picard had a troubled time at Starfleet academy, often rebelling against the accepted norm. He credited the groundskeeper, Boothby, with getting him through his four years. His strive to succeed remained strong, while he excelled in athletics and archaeology.
As an Ensign, he learned the value of life when he was stabbed through the heart by a Nausicaan. He survived and was posted to the USS Reliant and, as a junior officer, he became friendly with Walker Keel, Jack Crusher and his fiancee, Beverly Howard. He displayed command ability while leading a rescue mission to Milika III, saving an ambassador.
Picard was assigned to the USS Stargazer and, in 2333, took command of the vessel when the captain was killed in battle. However, this did not necessarily come with a direct promotion to captain. It is more likely that he was promoted to first officer and then later to Captain, as a jump from Lieutenant to Captain is the kind of the thing that really only happens in the Kelvin Universe!
Picard served on the Stargazer for twenty two years, until it was lost at the Battle of Maxia. Following nine years which have yet to be fully expanded upon, he took command of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D.